Cost of Living in Eritrea 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Eritrea is the Eritrean nakfa (ERN).
Monthly Living Costs in Eritrea
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €355 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €465 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Eritrea Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 34.6 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Eritrea from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €8,500 |
| Engineering | €8,000 |
| Finance | €7,500 |
| Education | €6,000 |
| Healthcare | €6,000 |
| Construction | €5,500 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €4,000 |
Taxes in Eritrea
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 10.8% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,950 |
| VAT / sales tax | 15% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,950 per month. After rent and essentials (€355), roughly €5,595 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Eritrea Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eritrea | €180 | €95 | €15 | 34.6 |
| Djibouti | €650 | €280 | €32 | 54.5 |
| Ethiopia | €180 | €85 | €35 | 17 |
| Sudan | €150 | €45 | €15 | 50.3 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Eritrea:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 3 residence and visa routes for Eritrea — see the full Eritrea visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €355 per month to sustain a move to Eritrea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eritrea expensive?
Eritrea has a cost-of-living index of 34.6 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a single person spends about €355 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Eritrea?
About €355 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €465 per month.
What is the average rent in Eritrea?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month in Eritrea. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Eritrea?
Typical gross annual salaries in Eritrea range from €4,000 (Hospitality) to €8,500 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Eritrea country profile and the Eritrea emigration guide.
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